24 She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?”

“John the Baptist’saq head,” she said.

25 At once she hurried to the king and said, “I want you to give me John the Baptist’sar head on a platteras immediately.” 26 Although the king was deeply distressed,at because of his oathsau and the guestsE he did not want to refuseav her. 27 The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When John’s disciplesaw heard about it, they came and removed his corpse and placed it in a tomb.ax